| |
 
 
|
Fire
Home Safety
Please read the following Fire Safety Tips carefully and make
sure that everyone in your home understands the importance of
fire prevention. You may even want to print this page and share
it with your family.
Safety for Every Room
Kitchen
- Never leave cooking unattended.
- Wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when cooking.
- Keep pot handles turned inward so pots can't be pulled
down by children.
- If pan on stovetop catches fire, cover it and turn off
burner.
Basement
- Don't store combustible items such as liquids, solvents,
and paints in basement.
- Store items such as newspapers or rags in metal containers
with a tight lid.
- Keep items like newspapers, clothes etc. at least one
foot away from heat sources like radiators, water heaters
or furnaces.
Bedrooms
- Place smoke detectors outside of each bedroom and in hallways.
- Never place electrical cords under rugs, radiators, beds,
etc.
- Keep a rechargeable flashlight near your bed to see in
an emergency.
- Never smoke in bed.
Living Quarters
- Check all electrical appliances for worn or frayed cords
or plugs.
- Never leave fireplaces or wood stoves unattended. Dispose
of cool ashes in a lidded metal container.
- Never leave lit cigarettes in ashtrays. Check around sofas
and chairs for smoldering cigarette butts before going to
bed.
- Keep portable space heaters at least three feet from anything
that can burn. Turn heaters off before leaving the house
or going to bed.
Fire Safety Tips
Use Electrical Appliances Safely
- Smoke detectors can give you precious minutes to escape
safely. Install them on every level of your home especially
outside sleeping areas. Test and vacuum detectors monthly
(dust can impair their effectiveness). Change batteries
at least twice a year.
Plan and Practice your Escape
- Plan two ways out of every room. Fire routes should not
include the use of elevators. Select a meeting place outside
the house where everyone will gather in case of a fire.
- Practice your plan often.
Learn How to Use a Fire Extinguisher
- Install fire extinguishers at each level of your home,
especially in the kitchen, basement and garage. Place away
from stove or other heat sources, out of children's reach
and near an escape route. Know how to use them before a
fire starts. Inspect them monthly. Maintain them using manufacturer's
instructions.
Make Sure your Address is Visible
- Your fire department can't help you unless you can be
found. Make sure the number of your house is visible from
the street and is in a lighted area so it can be seen at
night.
Crawl Low Under Smoke
- If you must get through smoke to escape, keep low. The
cleanest air will be closest to the floor. Crawl on your
hands and knees to get to the nearest safe exit. If possible,
cover your mouth and nose with a damp handkerchief.
Use Electrical Appliances Safely
- Check lamps and ceiling fixtures to make sure wiring is
intact. If an appliance smokes or smells, turn it off immediately.
Examine electrical cords before and replace any that are
frayed or cracked. Don't overload electrical outlets.
Keep Matches and Lighters Away from Children
- Store matches and lighters in locked or high cabinets
away from children. Teach children that matches and lighters
are dangerous and should not be played with.
How to Get Out Safely
1. Stay calm so you can think clearly.
2. If the door is closed, feel it from bottom to top with back
of your hand. If it is cool you may open the door.
3. Brace foot and shoulder against the door and open slowly.
If there is light smoke, quickly get low and crawl to the nearest
exit.
4. Stay low and avoid smoke/toxic gases that collect on ceilings.
5. Close all doors behind you.
6. Never use an elevator during a fire.
7. Once out, call fire department. Never go back to get anything!
If You are Trapped!
- Don't panic! If you exert yourself, you will breathe faster
and take in more smoke/toxic gases that can burn your lungs
or knock you unconscious.
- Keep all doors between you and the fire closed and stuff
clothing/towels at the bottom of them to keep out smoke/gases.
- Open a window.
- Escape through the open window if there is an easy way
to the ground (and smoke or flames are not rising from the
lower floor) OR stand by the window, shout for help, wave
something and wait for rescue.
- If you can't escape and there's a phone in the room, call
911 or Fire Department and report your exact location.
If Your Clothing Catches on Fire
- STOP where you are. Moving or running feeds air
to the flames and worsens the fire.
- DROP to the ground. Place your hands over your
eyes, nose, and mouth to protect the face.
- ROLL slowly back and forth on the ground until
flames are smothered.
- Seek immediate medical attention.
|
|
